Teachers Union T Newsletter H E E P C O H H ILD OUR (THE CHILD OUR HOPE)

Published by the Vol. 89 No. 3 April 2019 Fiji Teachers Union Edited: Bro. Manhar Kumar

1-3 Berry Road, P.O. Box 2203 Govt Building, . Phone: 3314 099 / 3314 668 Fax: 3305 962 Email: [email protected]

GREETINGS Dr Neelesh Gounder is currently a faculty member with the School of Economics at The University Warm greetings to all our valued members. of the South Pacific. He received his doctorate in economics from Griffith University in Australia. 89th ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019 Neelesh is also a Centre Associate at the Development Policy Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University. Suva Branch is working tirelessly to make sure Neelesh is a recipient of the: that all members receive the best of hospitality in the upcoming conference. The details of the Australian Prime Ministers Award in 2013 by the conference are as follows: then Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard Greg Taylor Fellowship in 2017 by the Australian National University Host Branch: Suva He is also a member of the UNESCAP Expert Dates: 23rd April – 26th April 2019 Group on Macroeconomic Prospects and Policy Venue: Rishikul Sanatan College Challenges in Asia and the Pacific, including Countries with Special Needs. Theme: “Educational Reforms: Implications on Fijian Education” Neelesh is a committee member of Fiji Civil Society Public Policy Capacity Building Programme under the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and European Union ‘Strengthening Non-state Actors (NSAs) Engagement in Regional Policy Development and Implementation Programme’.Dr Gounder is a trustee of Fiji Womens Rights Movement and an academic board member of the Sangam College of Nursing and Suva Sangam College. He is also a columnist for The Fiji Times, mainly on political economy issues and regular commentator on Radio New Zealand and Radio Australia on regional issues.

CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE/DELEGATES Branches are requested to bring large delegations to the 89th AGM in order to make a strong Chief Guest: Dr. Neelesh Gounder statement to the authorities on the numerous matters of grave concern on the diminishing status of teachers and workers at large in the country.

Fiji Teachers Union - Newsletter - Page 1 Branch Reps were reminded in the NE meeting to SPORTS send in their branch delegates list to the HQ for As usual sports will be a major feature of the verification. conference. Branches are expected to prepare the teams to participate in soccer, netball and men’s and women’s volleyball. BILLETING PUBLICITY MATTERS Suva Branch has presented the billeting arrangements in the recent NE Meeting. Branches The February issue of the Newsletter was sent to can contact Bro Lingam on 8399482/9928024 for all the school reps in the beginning of the term. billeting arrangements. Branches must keep their membership informed of current issues by sending regular Branch Newsletters. FIJI TEACHERS UNION Branch Secretaries are advised to send a copy of 89th Annual Conference their branch newsletter to the HQ. The 2019 year Programme for Official Opening planner was also sent to the Branches in early February for distribution to the members. If you have not received year planner then get in touch Wednesday 24/04/19 with your branch executives. 8.30 – 9.00am The Conference Journal is presently being put into shape and the Publicity Committee would Registration of Members like to thank those who have contributed articles 9.15am towards the 2019 Journal. Guests and members get seated 9.20am FTUC – NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST Call to order - Arrival of Chief Guest Members would recall that the Interim Government had imposed the draconian ENI Observe 1 minute silence to pay Decree to remove all the rights of Workers and respect to members who passed away Trade Unions. during the year. The Public-Sector Unions were most affected. This attitude of the state continues, despite 9.25am Universal Prayer commitments made to the ILO to fully restore our 9.30am National Anthem rights. 9.35am Garlanding / Welcome Dance 9.40am Welcome - Branch Chairman Grievance of Public Sector Employees 9.45am - Imposition of Individual Contracts Presidential Address by Bro. Muniappa Goundar This has effectively taken away the fundamental rights to collective bargaining and put workers at Introduction of Chief Guest risk of losing their jobs at a month’s notice. This 9.55 am is a direct violation of ILO Conventions 87 and 98 to which Government is a signatory to. Keynote Address and Opening of -JEE 2017 Conference -Entry Point salary reduced. Chief Guest: Dr. Neelesh Gounder Service not recognized. 1st year and 15th year Senior Lecturer School of Economic Faculty of teachers on same salary. Business and Economics University of the South Pacific -Executive Teacher positions abolished unilaterally. 10.15am Concluding Remarks- General Secretary -Disciplinary Guideline giving unfettered powers 10.25am Vote of Thanks to the Permanent Secretary to terminate teachers 10.35am Morning Tea denying natural justice. 11.00am Resume – AGM -Increments due on 1/1/2017 not paid. Strong suspicion tinkering with the grades under the guise of moderation. No increment to the entire

Fiji Teachers Union - Newsletter - Page 3 staff if whole schools score DC. RIDICULOUS. Vunimono FTUC is organizing a National Day of protest Rewa Sanatan 9am 2pm on 3rd May 2019 to express our concern at the Primary blatant breaches by the state. Korovou Tailevu 9am 12pm All affiliates are expected to participate. Primary Penang More details will be provided later. Rakiraki Sangam 9am 12pm Members Insurance Premium Primary Vunikavikaloa Members who need family cover please check Rakiraki 9am 12pm your premium deductions. It should be $17.31 per Arya fortnight ($450 per annum) Single Cover is $13.46 Tavua Tavua Primary 9am 1pm per fortnight ($350.00 per annum). Sangam Ba 9am 2pm Primary Reunion - 1970 -1979 NTC (Now FNU Central Lautoka 9am 2pm (GRADUATES) Primary th nd Andrews The above is being organized from 30 June to 2 Nadi 9am 2pm July at FNU Campus Nasinu. The contact person Primary of the interested persons is Mani Lal (Phone: Sigatoka 9434086) AD Singh 9928098. Nadroga Methodist 9am 2pm Primary NOTICE OF ELECTION OF FTU OFFICE Nadroga Loma Primary 9am 2pm BEARERS FOR 2019-2021 Nadroga Tuva Primary 9am 2pm Vashist Muni Navua 9am 12pm All financial members of the Union, whose College names appear on the Electoral Roll, which St Mary’s 9am 2pm closes on 29/3/19, are notified that Fiji Teachers’ Union’s National Election is Labasa Dreketi Primary 9am 2pm scheduled for Saturday 13th April, 2019. Labasa Daku Bhartiya 9am 12pm Seaqaqa Cent. Labasa 9am 12pm All positions, except for the position of the College General Secretary, will be up for elections. Khemendra Savusavu 9am 12pm Central Bucalevu ELECTION CAMPAIGN REMINDER Taveuni 9am 12pm Secondary Lekutu Bua 9am 12pm Candidates, their campaign agents and Secondary members are reminded that campaign materials should be positive and free from Bua Namau Primary 9am 12pm malice and character assassination. Levuka Levuka Primary 10am 3pm All candidates and their campaigners are further reminded that campaign materials should not be slanderous and defamatory.

The time and venues of the National Elections are as follows:

POLLING BRANCH OPENS CLOSING STATION Suva FTU HQ 9am 2pm Nasinu Rishikul College 9am 2pm

Fiji Teachers Union - Newsletter - Page 3 FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES No. of No. of GENERAL Candidate Positions for 1. The Fiji Teachers Union(FTU) have advised TREASURER Nominations Election (1) their intention to hold elections on Saturday Received (1) 13th of April 2019 at the duly assigned Polling Surname First Names Uncontested Venues from 9am - 3pm. Sashi Shandil 1 2. The final list of candidates are as follows: Mahendra

No. of No. of No. of EXECUTIVE No. of Positions Candidate Postions for Candiddate PRESIDENT COMMITTEE for Election(1) Nominations Election Nominations MEMBERS Received (1) (3) Received (5) Surname First Names Uncontested Surname First Names Contested Singh Brij Bhan 1 Goundar Muaniappa 1 Kumar Sima Devika 1 Prakash Madhur 1 No. of No. of Shankar Dharmend 1 Positions for VICE Candidate Election (3) Kumar Pratosh 1 PRESIDENT Nominations 1 Reserved for Mohammed Received (5) Ali 1 a Woman Feroz Surname First Names Contested Kumar Arvind 1 No. of No. of PERSONAL Candidate Pranesh Positions for Sharma 1 OFFICER Nominations Praveen Election (1) Deo Nakul Barman 1 Received (1) Surname First Names Uncontested Vidya Singh(Woman) 1 Lal Rameshwar 1 Rohitesh Kumar 1 No. of Sandeep No. of PUBLICITY Candidate Positions for OFFICER Nominations No. of Election (1) No. of Received (1) ASSISTANT Positions Candidate GENERAL for Surname First Names Uncontested Nominations SECRETARY Election Manhar Received (2) Kumar 1 (1) Prithvi First Surname Uncontested Names Rajnesh Lingam 1 Ishwar

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